Threadless Arbor Tool Locking via Flanged Nut
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional tooling systems on roll forming and slitter arbors rely on threaded nuts that are prone to damage, leading to costly maintenance due to exposure and handling, necessitating a thread-free locking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A flanged nut system that rotatably engages a keyed collar on the arbor, using a pressure ring and grease to securely hold tooling without screw threads, allowing for easy maintenance and rapid operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded nuts are used to hold tooling on arbors, then the tooling can be securely fastened, but the threads on the arbor are subject to damage requiring costly maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the threaded connection from the arbor entirely by extracting the mating threads that were previously machined into the arbor. Instead, a collar is attached to the arbor that receives a flanged nut, isolating the threading from the arbor itself and preventing thread damage to the critical arbor component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a collar as an intermediary component between the arbor and the flanged nut. This collar absorbs the threading and fastening functions, protecting the arbor from direct contact with the nut and its associated threading operations, thereby eliminating thread damage risks to the arbor.
2Strength
If threaded nuts are used to secure tooling, then the tooling can be held firmly, but the exposed threads are prone to damage during loading and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the threading function from the arbor and relocates it to a removable collar. This prevents the arbor threads from being exposed to damaging forces during tooling loading and handling, while the collar's threads bear these stresses instead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand protection by using a collar that absorbs potential thread damage before it can reach the arbor. The collar acts as a sacrificial or protective element that shields the critical arbor threads from harmful exposure during operation and maintenance.
3Ease of repair
If a flanged nut system is used instead of threaded nuts, then thread damage is eliminated, but the locking mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fastening system into distinct components: a collar attached to the arbor and a separate flanged nut. This segmentation allows the threading function to be isolated in the collar while the arbor remains simple and threadless, reducing overall system complexity and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of threading the arbor directly to receive the nut, the patent inverts the approach by attaching a collar to the arbor that then receives the nut. This reversal protects the arbor from threading complexity while achieving the same fastening function.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking system for securing tools on an arbor. The locking system has a collar attached to the arbor, with the collar spaced from the tooling. A nut is placed over the collar and positioned next to the tools. The nut is then rotated to secure the nut between the collar and the tools.